Dallas City Council approves funding agreement with Fair Park First clearing path for long awaited Community Park in South Dallas

Dallas, Texas – The Dallas City Council has approved a key agreement that clears the way for the long-anticipated development of a new Community Park at Fair Park, marking a significant moment in the city’s broader effort to reinvest in South Dallas.

In a vote taken this week, council members authorized the City Manager and the Park and Recreation Board to finalize a Fair Park Funding and Development Agreement with Fair Park First, the nonprofit organization that manages the historic site. The agreement outlines responsibilities for designing, fundraising, and constructing the new park, a project city leaders say will reshape currently underused space into a lively public destination.

The planned Community Park is part of a continuing push to breathe new life into Fair Park while expanding access to quality green space. For many residents in South Dallas, the project represents more than landscaping or new amenities. It reflects years of advocacy and calls for investment in neighborhoods surrounding the historic grounds.

Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert described the project as long overdue. She said the new park will convert neglected areas into a welcoming environment for families, seniors, and children. Tolbert noted that the investment is intended to respect the history of the surrounding Fair Park neighborhoods while also creating fresh opportunities for recreation and gathering. She also credited city council members and community leaders who worked to move the plan forward.

Under the newly approved agreement, Fair Park First will take the lead on raising the funds needed to fully cover construction costs. The organization is required to secure sufficient funding within six months of the agreement’s execution. During that same six-month window, design work must be completed. Once necessary permits are issued, construction is expected to begin within 90 days.

Project timelines are clearly defined. Completion of the park is targeted within 24 months after the construction contract is executed. Fair Park First will oversee design, permitting, and the building process itself. However, the City of Dallas will retain ownership of all improvements made to the property.

City officials emphasized that oversight and accountability are built into the agreement. The Park and Recreation Department Director will review and approve design development and construction documents throughout the process. In addition, the city will maintain audit rights and require quarterly as well as annual financial briefings to ensure transparency as the project advances.

The structure of the partnership reflects a balance of responsibilities: Fair Park First manages the day-to-day development work, while the city maintains ownership and monitoring authority. Leaders say this framework is designed to keep the project on schedule, within financial expectations, and aligned with community goals.

With council approval secured, the next phase now depends on fundraising and final design. If benchmarks are met as outlined, construction could begin within months of permitting, bringing South Dallas closer to a new public space intended to serve generations to come.